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Monday, March 25, 2013

Beaver Co. Sheriff Indicted, Removal from Office Unlikely

Today, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced charges against 65-year-old Beaver County Sheriff George David, according to The Associated Press.David is in custody on charges including terroristic threats, witness intimidation, two counts of simple assault, three counts of intimidating a witness or victim, official oppression and obstructing an investigation all of the counts are misdemeanors. The charges stem from length investigation by a state grand jury wherein allegations were made that he threatened to kill county Prothonotary Nancy Werme, county Central Services Director Mary Ann Ruskin, Beaver Countian webside operator John Paul Vranesevich and Times reporter J.D. Prose, reported thr Beaver County Times.Even if convicted it will be difficult to remove David from office. There are three ways to remove a public official from office:Article II, Sec. 7 removal for an infamous crime. This would not apply to the charges facing David.The Article VI, Sec. 6 impeachment for misbehavior. This could occur when there is a breach of a positive statutory duty or the performance by a public official or a discretionary act with an improper or corrupt motive. This might work but mustArticle VI, Sec. 7 removal by the governor for reasonable cause with two-third consent of the senate.Both of the Article VI removals would require a trial in the senate. An unlikely senerio to remove a county sheriff.To read more:http://www.timesonline.com/news/police_fire_courts/beaver-county-sheriff-george-david-arrested/article_9c7db6ce-2a28-576e-b7b8-be1bdb9a3964.html

About Matt

An analysis of crime and punishment from the perspective of a former prosecutor and current criminal justice practitioner.
The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions or postions of any county, state or federal agency.